The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-10-28

could not have acted their parts better than
| they did when they obeyed the promp;lngs OF
the noble heart Of the true American soldier.
The scene was in no way theatrical, but in
| its, simplicity it was dramatic IN the extreme.
| IL can only be painted by one who knows how TO
| depict victory without triumph.
As Gen. Lee stood confronting Gen. Grant, be
| fore they began to speak of the business they
had in hand, a number of Federal officers were
near Gen. Grant listening to the conversation,
and some OF them taking part in it, and had
| stranger entered the room, ignorant of what
| was taking place it would never have occurred
TO nm that anything was going on but pleasant
CONVEX alton among friends Gen. Lee was
as calm and collected as dignifed and gracious,
as ever saw him in the hour of victory.
Through the pain and humiliation of his po-
Sition, his great career about to close in defeat,
and all that he had done about to be made IN
awaiting, he saw the path of duty and he trod 1t
with as firm foot, and as brave a heart, and as
lofty mien as If 1t had been the way of triumph.
Perhaps the highest tribute that was ever
pad TO Gen. Lee was paid by Gen. Grant him
self at Appomattox.
After the meeting at McIain's house, where
the terms OF surrender were agreed upon, Gen.
Grant requested another interview with Gen.
Lee.
Upon his return to his quarters, Gen Lee in
formed myself and other members of his staff
that IN his conversation with Gen. Grant the
latter had expressed the most earnest desire
that peace should be instantly restored, and
that not another drop of American blood should
pc shed. he then proposed to Gen. Lee that
the latter should forthwith meet Mr. Lincoln,
and said that whatever terms of pacihcation
Mi Lincoln and Gen. Lee might agree upon
would be satisfactory to the reasonable people
Of the North and South, and should have his
own earnest support. He told Gen Lee that
MS influence with the Southern people would
secure their concurrence, and that Mr. Lincous
council would be accepted by the whole North.
Gen. Lee expressed the great pleasure which
Gen. Grants noble and patriotic sentiments
gave him, but declined to comply with his re-
quest. because he was an officer of the Con
federate army. and could do nothing incon-
sstent with his duty to the Confederate gova
eminent.
There remains the final act OF his life, with
which will close what | have to say and com
plete the explanation of the meaning of this
monument.
When the war closed he found himself far
past middle age and compelled to depend upon
his own efforts for his maintenance. He had
many offers from persons who desired to have
the use or his name to promote their interests
IN business. All Of these he declined. He had
several invitations from wealthy admirers to
accept their hospitality and pass the remainder
or his days in repose. These he also declined.
You know that, finally, he accepted the po-
sition of President of Washington College, and
in that dignifed but useful retirement he closed
his eventful life
After the surrender at Appomattox and the
cessation of hostilitieS, there was more or less
doubt among those who had been in the army,
as to what they should do. Some, unable to
reconcile themselves to submission to the gov
eminent of the United States, sought homes
whether they should stand aloof and let things
take their course, or whether they should. with
good Will and cheerfuneSs, perform the rev
duties that devolVed upon them. The advice
and example of Gen. Lee did more to incline the
scale in favor of frank and manly adoption OF
that course of conduct which tended to the
restoration of peace and harmony than all the
Federal garlisons in all the military districts.
But shall not attempt TO put his noble senti-
mentS IN my unworthy words. You shall hear
them in his words, words that / think
should be inscribed upon the pedestal of this
statue as more faithful representation of the
man than the art of the sculptor can produce
Hear him, all We sons Of the Republic
My experience of men has neither disposed
me to think worse of them, nor indispOSed ne to
serve them; nor, in spite of failures which
Lament, of errors, which nov see and acknowl-
edge, or of the present aspect of affairs, do
despair of the future. The truth is this: The
Sires so impatient, the work of progress is so
immense, and our means of aiding it so feeble,
the life of humanity is so long and that of the
individual so brief, that we often see only the
ebb OF the advancing wave, and are thus
discouraged. 1t is history that teaches us to
hope"
At the conclusion of Col Marshalrs ora
ton, the reading of which occupied over an
hour and half, Gen Wade HAMPTON was
called upon and responded in few re-
marks in the course of which he said he re-
garded Gen. Lee as even greater man than
Washington, and spoke of the great venera-
ton which the people of South Carolina had
for the dead Confederate chieftain. Cen
Early then closed the proceedings with APP
propriate remarks, and the gathering dis
persed. Thus ended a day which viii ever
be memorable in the history of this city.